Dress to impress

We have all used the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover” at least once in our lifetime, however, this statement is merely exemplary of our will not to be superficial when meeting new people. The fact is that our first impression is based on the physical presentation for the most part. Some research has even linked facial features and body shapes to certain traits, for example, people with oval shaped faces, big eyes and high cheekbones are mostly interpreted as approachable and friendly. Another huge factor that defines the first impression is your appearance. Your outfit can tell a lot about your personality, situation assessment and character. So, how do you score a great first impression?

First of all, you need to understand who are you meeting, what is the purpose of that encounter and how do you want to present yourself. Is it an important business meeting with potential investors or clients? Is it a job interview for your dream job? Is the dress code for the location you are going to very formal or could you go for a more casual outfit? You wouldn’t want to turn up in a fancy tuxedo with your hair slicked back to a leadership conference – nobody would consider following a clown who overdressed the occasion.

Instead, think about your wardrobe and the clothing that suits you best. You should feel at ease and comfortable in your own skin as well as your clothing when you’re in the hot seat and everyone is counting on you to make the right move. Also, take care of the weather forecast and don’t let any natural circumstances surprise you. If it’s going to be a hot summer day and you need to suit up for a meeting, don’t make a rookie mistake of wearing short trousers of short-sleeved shirts, switch to natural materials which discourage sweating. Also, rain and snow are not a well-dresses man’s friend so take necessary measures of precaution to ensure your look remains flawless.

Once you’ve decided what style to go with, you should choose adequate clothing. Size does matter, in fact, when it comes to specific pieces of clothing. Suits are very delicate when it comes to fitting as they are made according to a universal model, not necessarily flattering for your body type. That’s why even the best branded and most expensive suit might not be the right choice for you, despite its profound design. Be prepared for possible trips to the tailor to have some alterations done to your new business attire.

Source: wikipedia

The safest option for finding the perfect suit is actually finding the perfect tailor. Tailored suits have many perks as they are made especially for you. It all starts by the tailor taking your measurements and making a sketch of any design you choose. You can customize anything from the jacket – whether it should be single or double-breasted, over the buttons and pockets – should there be two singles or two pairs of them, the lapels – whether to go with a notched, peaked or shawl, to the pants – correcting the waistline and leg length.

Finally, top it all off with fashionable and practical accessories to create the perfect look. A smart watch is an ideal business companion and takes your look to another level. Hats, caps and sunglasses are perfect for the changing weather, just make sure to take them off before you step into the meeting room, as you don’t want to seem rude. Manners over style.